Funeral Elegy 4. On the death of my dear Cousin Germane Mrs. Olive Cotton, who deceased at Berisford the 38th year of her Age, and lyes buried at Bently by Ashbourne, &c

Amongst the many that shall celebrate
(With sighes and tears) this excellent womans Fate;
And with the many that shall fix a verse
(Sacred unto her Fame) upon her Herse;
World! pardon me my boldness, that intrude
These few poor lines upon thy Multitude:
They need not read them, I have my desire
If they but see my name, and look no higher:
But with my Sadness thou may'st well dispence
A tribute due to her Departure hence;
For from my soul I honoured her, and grieve
That I've but such small means to win beliefe.
Others may aim with a victorious Rhime
To vindicate her from the rage of time;
Our ablest Poets, whose each Distick may
Both Brass and Marble Statues wear away,
Last till the noble Soul again shall come
And take possession of her ancient Roome
Converting all their Funeral Elegies
(By that Reunion) t' Epithalamies;
And so by solemnizing her just worth,
Acquire themselves an endless Name on earth
I no Ambition have but to make known
Her merits, were my Admiration.
Her Conversation harmless was and free,
For neither Pride nor ill Discourse had she:
Her sweet Conditions all the vertues were,
Not studied, but habitual in her:
And (ere the fatal Feaver had begun
T'disturb her calm Soul's Habitation)
The beauteous body was a Palace fit
(Above all other) t'entertain in it
So Sublime, and so many vertues, such
As made old Saints and martyrs prais'd so much.
But she is gone, and we are left behinde
To mourn the want of worth in Woman-kinde
For femal vertues (as our fears surmize)
Are all with her return'd to Paradise.
And there (best Cousin) may your welcome b
A Crown of Glory and Immortalitie.